goodbye 2010, bring on 2011

The new year creeps up on you doesn't it! Before you know it, it's another set of New Year resolutions you want to write. I usually want to write about 10, but this year, I think 5-7 would be more reasonable.
It's been a real year of setting up new things, getting rid of the garbage that was part of my life and really preparing for 2011. There were definitely a lot of firsts this year - going on and performing on a cruise, performing in stadiums as part of The Artisans, the formation of the Artisans, performing my crossover songs ...
All i can say is it's been a good year but 2011, BRING IT ON!!! I haven't been as happy as I have been this year ever, but i know 2011 will bring me even more joy! I can just feel it!
Spending NYE this year in Saigon and this will be beautiful!
Good luck to you all for 2011! May it be filled with happiness, joy, success, amazing friends and above all, good health! without health, you will be able to do nothing.
LOVE and GRACE,
Van-Anh xx

Maiden voyage

A blog i wrote whilst on the cruise....
Aloha lovelies!
No, I’m not in Hawaii but at the very top point of Australia, Thursday Island. On a Tuesday that is! There’s also Friday Island which was directly across from is. I’m doing my first ever cruise show and I have to say, I’m pleasantly pleased and surprised. You hear stories of cruises all the time, good and bad but this has been such a pleasant trip so far!
I embarked in Darwin and I must say the flight from Melb – Adelaide – Darwin was less than pleasant. It was horrific actually. Having done a few shows in Melbourne (which was frickin awesome having the opportunity to perform at the Netball and Hockey Centre in a 360 degree stadium!), I had about 8 hours of sleep over 3 days. What was the result of that was throwing up 5 times in those flights. I was horrified because I had heard about seasickness and all that jazz and had not prepared ANYTHING. I was throwing up before I even got ONTO the damn ship! Having said that, when I got to Darwin, I wasn’t throwing up at all and my stomach had settled. It must have been some virus or just pure tiredness.
As I stepped on the liner, it was beautiful. Lights, just like a luxury hotel! It’s got everything from a library, net café (which is ridiculous because it’s 50c a minute!), spa/pool, observation lounge on Deck 10, multiple bars and check this, 24 hour room service with unlimited food and drinks everywhere. And my suite has a piano in it to practice on!! MAN I could live like this – getting fat and playin’ music. And yes, all gluten free available too!
I was super nervous before my 1st show but the crowd was wonderful and so supportive and truly enjoyed it – word has spread and they are totally coming tomorrow night for my 2nd and last show too on the Silversea Shadow where I will disembark in Cairns!
Everyone on the cruise is so lovely and really enjoying themselves (as if you wouldn’t when you have such fine cuisine!) It’s super humid at this end of the world. Some people I’ve met at total cruise-a-holics! They continually travel. A lady who is blind had travelled for 20 years on the Silverseas. When she spoke to me and asked me my name at the dining table, I was like ‘Van-Anh’ and she asked ‘are you of Dutch descent?’. I was a little surprised but then she said she was blind and it all made sense. The ‘van’ part. She had been travelling for so long that she walked around without a walking stick because she knew where everything was! Amazing!
There’s people from everywhere – Canada, USA, South Africa, quite a few from Australia. I’m surprised I hadn’t gotten seasick but it’s been really calm. Raining every afternoon just like in Asia.
Anyways, I should really sign off for now. 11 sleeps til xmas! WOOTTTT!!!
With smiles and grace from the seas just off Thursday Island,
Van-Anh xx

Moving on ...

Gosh it's been a while and before you know it, 22 sleeps til Xmas! How it strikes so quickly! Quite the ridiculous if you ask me. Having said that, my spontaneous shopping has paid off because I've got presents down pat ... And god bless online shopping :)
What a week! Moving studios to a beautiful place, settling in all the students and parents, playing at 4 concerts, packing up, unpacking, organising and repacking my life for the next 2 weeks!
The Artisans Melbourne debut is Dec 9th at Spencers Live! 419 Spencer St melbs! Tickets at the door for $20 so c'mon down folks :) it will feature our lead singer Thanh Bui, drummer James Jennings, bassist Brendan Clark, guitarist James Manson and myself on keys playing all of our original stuff with an EP set for release mid Feb 2011!!
Of course surrounding all of this is the International Artist Academy Melbourne showcase at The Cubby House Sunday 5th Dec.
Then, my first cruise show!!! Really don't want to get seasick (please please please!!!)

For now, adios because beauty sleep calls.
Love and grace,
- smiling at life from my iPhone :)
Van-Anh

new love

Sophia Kokosalaki <3

Oh to die for Brian Atwood Heels! <3

The best body lotion ever! (yes, Mecca Cosmetica again!)

New Red Sichuan Restaurant opened up in Canley Heights (i would go MILD for the hotpot - it's frickin spicy and i LIKE spicy!)

As always, I love to update on my findings. I've been a bit MIA with various gigs and tinkling the ivories a lot BUT, here were my recent findings :)

How i love beautiful things, tasty things!

Of course, there's always the music and to be honest, not a fan of Bruno Mars' Grenade. Cee-Lo Green on the other hand, i'll have YOU on repeat thanks :)

The Mark Ronson & Biz Int'l record has been on repeat in the car as well - eclectic, awesome and refreshing!

A stint in Melbourne for December with visits to Darwin and Cairns before Xmas is on the cards so I'll be clickin away on the camera!

As always, concerts to support especially this coming Tuesday (because The Artisans - yes, that includes me, are playing!) is the Make A Change concert at Melbourne Town Hall - Tues 16th Nov 7:30pm. Hope to see u all there xxx

Love and grace,

Van-Anh

Much love and grace,

ac-ac-ac-accessories!

So like i said, accessories are my latest obsessions so in my meanderings on the net, I came across Kashen Jewellery. Not only is it awesome but it's an Aussie Perth-based designer which makes it awesomex2! I've picked up my necklace and it's due to arrive next week. There's only 1 collection up so far called After Midnight with a 2nd one due to come out for Summer. The first is all based on glass materials with an emphasis on purples, oranges, salmon and black. The 2nd is moreso leather like cuffs and pendants.
My favs are definitely these:


And to continue my newly found love for handbags, After The Apple. Sigh! Their concept is fantastic, with 12 bags every season in the same concept design/shape eg 'The Slouch' or 'The Everyday Bag', 'The Handbag', 'The Messenger' to name a few. Of course the style and print changes each season and right now, it's 'The Tote'. The bags are only stocked at Lucette in Paddington and Designer Forum (and of course, you can buy it online). It looks great but seeing it in real life is every MORE amazing. I almost got a fright when the SA said "It's real python skin". I almost dropped the bag. The texture was so soft! The bag comes in print and black, both being striking. The print for your statement days and the black for just an amazing-black-bag!




Lastly but not least, CC Skye. A fav of Nicole Ritchie's, the label never gets it wrong. Glam-rock it is, my cuff arrived this week.

Have a lovely weekend! The sun is out so time to get those Vitamin Ds in!
x
love and grace,
Van-Anh

accessories crazed!

I think with fashion, everyone goes through phases. Remember when we saw shoulder pads and ran for the hills - now everyone has at least one in their wardrobe. Remember when harem and drop crotch pants were a no-no - now pretty much every label has one of those selling! There is no doubt that fashion gets recycled. Vintage is always in for the very reason that it's vintage and no one can bad-mouth it!

Right now, my phase sits with maxi-dresses and accessories. The blend of rawness and chic gives that down to earth feel yet still clean cut to strut it by day AND night without being OTT. Statement all the way.

So some of my favourite finds so far:

Lucette Robotic Maxi

Uscari Zen Crop Top <3

Uscari You're Never Alone Shorts (OMG!!!)

LowLuv by Erin Wasson (and totally affordable with free shipping on tobi.com)

In God We Trust 'Shake n Bake' necklace

And the best thing about tobi.com is the free shipping and how fast it is! YAY!

Off to do my Hanon 1-60 for a month!

love love,

Van-Anh xx

Treesje, Fluxus and more

So it's been yet another while since i've blogged. The last couple of weeks, i've spent focusing on writing some more music, a bit of a break from teaching is always good because i've come back with a lot of energy for the kids! We did a performance for NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) Global Illumination at the beautiful Summit Restaurant with Scarlett Belle

Performing with Scarlett Belle (Tamara Jaeber and Reigan Derry) with Luke Robinson (guitar) and Adaja Black (backing vocals).

If you're into the House scene, you'd be familiar with Miss Adaja Black! Check out her myspace! killer of a voice!

Onto the little precious things in life, the more tangible goodies, here are some of my favourite things right now:

Treesje Runaway Bag

heart heart heart this bag - coz i'm such a hoarder, but also because the gunmetal color is totally rock n roll, timeless! i have a lot of respect for Treesje in their design. A little bit about them:

California-based design duo, Laur Darrah and Sheila Nazarian have made their mark on the accessories world since launching their luxury handbag collection, Treesje in 2005. Both women are passionate about accessory design and are committed to creating original, intricate pieces that capture the essence of their chic California style. Treesje features signature hardware and a vast range of leather finishes, colours and silhouettes, including hobos, totes, satchels and more. Worn by Jennifer Aniston, Molly Sims, Courteney Cox Arquette and Lindsay Lohan to name but a few.

As for a wonderfully awesome basics range, don't look past Fluxus. I came across it whilst shopping in Melbourne, not really available across Australia that much but i'd order straight from the site. Some of my favourites are:

Fluxus

Inspired by the mid-century art movement and Los Angeles inner-city culture, FLuXuS breaks away from tradition and encourages the advancement of self-expression through fashion. Having commenced in 2007, it's a label for men and women mainly with cotton, tri-blend and their signature burnout!

Over and out for now.

Keep it real, keep it down to earth and don't get your head tangled in the clouds!

Love and grace,

V-A